You have seen that both shall and will can be used as copulative verbs to express future time, or as attributive verbs. The following are the principal rules for choosing between them.

(1) As a copulative verb to express future time, use shall in the first person and will in the second and third persons; thus, / shall fail, You will fail, He will fail.

The most common mistake in the use of these verbs is to use will in the first person as a copulative verb. 1 will fail and I will be glad to see you mean I promise or am determined to fail or to be glad to see you. This is not what the speaker wishes to say; it isn't sensible. Shall should be used instead of will.

(2) As an attributive verb to express determination or a promise on the part of the subject of thought, use will in all three persons; thus, / will please myself, I will help you, You will please yourself, He will please himself.

(3) As an attributive verb to express a promise received by the subject of thought or an obligation, use shall in all three per-sons; thus, What shall I do? You shall have the doll, The club shall meet each Tuesday at three & clock.

(4) In questions use the form required in the answer.

Exercise 297

Fill each blank in the following sentences with shall or will. In some cases either word may be used sensibly. In such cases notice the difference in meaning.

1. We ----- enjoy our visit.

2. I ----- long remember your kindness.

3. I ----- go in spite of opposition.

4. We ----- rejoice to hear of your success.

5. We ----- send you the book.

6. We hope that we ----- hear from you.

7. I ----- be obeyed.

8. They ----- be hungry.

9. They ----- enjoy the entertainment.

10. The train ----- arrive at two o'clock.

11. They ----- apologize for the act.

12. I ----- not be surprised to hear bad news.

13. I ----- not overlook that mistake again.

14. I think she ----- believe me.

15. I ----- be much obliged to you if you ----- do this.

16. We ----- soon learn the result of the election.

17. I ----- be glad to help you.

18. I ----- help you.

19. The car ----- be crowded at six o'clock.

20. We ----- lose the train if we do not hurry.

21. I ----- drown; no one ----- help me.

22. I ----- be delighted to hear from you.

23. ----- you be sorry if the party is given up?

24. ----- you take this package to the post-office for me?

25. ----- you look up my brother in the city?

26. - you hear from your friend to-day?

27. I ----- feel greatly obliged if you ----- tell me.